Arnold began his business career as a bookseller. When the British imposed the Stamp Act tax on the colonies, Arnold became a patriot and joined the Sons of Liberty.
At the start of the Revolutionary War, Arnold was elected as captain of the Connecticut militia. He led the militia north to Boston after the Battles of Lexington and Concord to help with the siege of Boston. He helped lead an attack against Fort Ticonderoga in one of the first major victories for the colonies.
Arnold was angry when Congress did not promote him to major general. He tried to resign from the army, but George Washington would not let him. Washington considered Arnold one of his better generals.
It was at the Battle of Saratoga that Arnold became somewhat of an American hero. He bravely led the attack on the British even with a wounded leg. When he returned to the army at Valley Forge, the soldiers welcomed him as a hero.
Other generals like Horatio Gates did not like Arnold at all. He was often accused of being greedy and using his power to make money for himself.
In 1779, Arnold began to sell secrets to the British. Secret correspondence passed between him and Major Andre, the British spy chief. They used Benedict's wife Peggy to pass letters written in code and invisible ink.
Arnold passed the British all sorts of important information including the locations of supply depots, troop movements, and the number of troops. In 1780, Arnold became the commander of the fort at West Point. Arnold agreed to surrender the fort to the British for 20,000 pounds.
Arnold met with Major Andre to discuss the takeover of West Point. The fort was important because of its location on the Hudson River. It’s strategic position allowed cannon fire over the river to control all river traffic. He had systematically been reducing the defenses of the fort to make it easy for the British to capture. However, a few days after their meeting, Major Andre was captured by the Americans. He had papers on him revealing Arnold's plot to surrender West Point. Arnold heard about Andre's capture and was able to escape to the British.
After changing sides, Arnold became a general for the British.
Interesting Facts About Benedict Arnold
At the start of the Revolutionary War, Arnold was elected as captain of the Connecticut militia. He led the militia north to Boston after the Battles of Lexington and Concord to help with the siege of Boston. He helped lead an attack against Fort Ticonderoga in one of the first major victories for the colonies.
Arnold was angry when Congress did not promote him to major general. He tried to resign from the army, but George Washington would not let him. Washington considered Arnold one of his better generals.
It was at the Battle of Saratoga that Arnold became somewhat of an American hero. He bravely led the attack on the British even with a wounded leg. When he returned to the army at Valley Forge, the soldiers welcomed him as a hero.
Other generals like Horatio Gates did not like Arnold at all. He was often accused of being greedy and using his power to make money for himself.
In 1779, Arnold began to sell secrets to the British. Secret correspondence passed between him and Major Andre, the British spy chief. They used Benedict's wife Peggy to pass letters written in code and invisible ink.
Arnold passed the British all sorts of important information including the locations of supply depots, troop movements, and the number of troops. In 1780, Arnold became the commander of the fort at West Point. Arnold agreed to surrender the fort to the British for 20,000 pounds.
Arnold met with Major Andre to discuss the takeover of West Point. The fort was important because of its location on the Hudson River. It’s strategic position allowed cannon fire over the river to control all river traffic. He had systematically been reducing the defenses of the fort to make it easy for the British to capture. However, a few days after their meeting, Major Andre was captured by the Americans. He had papers on him revealing Arnold's plot to surrender West Point. Arnold heard about Andre's capture and was able to escape to the British.
After changing sides, Arnold became a general for the British.
Interesting Facts About Benedict Arnold
- Arnold never received all of the 20,000 pounds he was promised by the British for becoming a traitor.
- The name "Benedict Arnold" is often used as a synonym for "traitor".
A pass Benedict Arnold wrote for "Mr. John Anderson," who was actually British major John Andre.
West Point, located along the Hudson River.
Arnold wounded at Saratoga
In an unusual tribute to an ex-hero, a statue near the Saratoga battlefield commemorates Benedict Arnold's leg, which he wounded badly. The statue shows nothing of Arnold's body but his leg, and doesn't mention him by name.